How To: Tapestry Wall Hanging

This simple wall hanging is a roll up scroll type, such as the kind found in Asian interior decorating.

Materials you will need are a bamboo placemat, a 1 foot length of ribbon, craft glue and a piece of fabric approximately the same size as the placemat.

Optional materials: If you can draw, you may wish to choose a thin white fabric, then draw and/or paint the picture on with fabric markers and acrylic paints. If not, you can also use a piece of fabric with a large picture preprinted on it, or use white fabric and print a design onto a sheet of iron-on transfer paper and apply with the iron.

Trim the fabric so that the small edge is about ½ inch smaller than the bamboo mat. Complete any drawing, painting, printing, or ironing and make sure the image is set and dry.

Cover your work surface with aluminum foil or other disposable protective covering to avoid coating it in glue. Lay the placemat onto your work surface sideways, so that a smaller side of the rectangle is toward you. Tie or glue an end of the ribbon to each corner of the side facing you, then turn the piece over so that the end with the ribbon is now opposite you and glued ribbon edges are underneath.

Cover the mat in a thin layer of glue, leaving about ½ inch uncovered at each edge. Starting at the top edge, lay the fabric down onto the bamboo and press it into the glue, working from the middle outward toward the sides. The best way to accomplish this part without getting the fabric hopelessly wrinkled is to start with the fabric laying upside down on the work surface beyond the ribboned edge. Roll the edge under and pull the fabric toward you until the back side of the edge lines up with the top edge of the bamboo, then press the edge onto the mat and gradually unroll the fabric onto the glue, a little at a time. Once the full piece of cloth is down, start smoothing from the center out.

Immediately hang the piece by the ribbon to dry so that it doesn't seal to the work surface covering. Once dry, it can be hung by the ribbon on any wall. Roll up to store or move.